Special Measles Advisory Warning Courtesy of Mayo Clinic

May 16, 2019

    MEASLES

Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. Then, when someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them. Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children.

The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours. You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.

Consult your Doctor to be sure you understand the dangers of measles and how best to protect yourself or others.

Your doctor can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash as well as a small, bluish-white spot on a bright red background — Koplik’s spot — on the inside lining of the cheek. However, many doctors have never seen measles, and the rash can be confused with a number of other illnesses. If necessary, a blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles.

    For the first 10 to 14 days after you’re infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.

    Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days

The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first.   Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet

 At the same time, the fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C) before the rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.

Risk factors for measles include:

    *Being unvaccinated. If you haven’t received the vaccine for measles, you’re much more likely to develop the disease.

    *Traveling internationally. If you travel to developing countries, where measles is more common, you’re at higher risk of catching the disease.

    *Vitamin A deficiency. If you don’t have enough vitamin A in your diet, you’re more likely to have more-severe symptoms and complications.

Complications of measles may include:

    *Ear infection. One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.

    *Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup. Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs (bronchial tubes).

    *Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.

    *Encephalitis. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops a complication called encephalitis. Encephalitis may occur right after measles, or it might not occur until months later.

    *Pregnancy problems. If you’re pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause preterm labor, low birth weight and maternal death.

Prevention—family members

If someone in your household has measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family members and friends:

   * Isolation. Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn’t return to activities in which they interact with other people during this period.

            It may also be necessary to keep nonimmunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person.

    *Vaccinate. Be sure that anyone who’s at measles risk receives the vaccine as soon as possible.

            The first vaccine dose for infants is usually given between 12 and 15 months, with the second dose typically given between ages four and six years. If you’ll be traveling abroad before your child is a year old, talk with your child’s doctor about getting the measles vaccine earlier.

If you’ve already had measles, your body has built up its immune system to fight the infection, and you likely will not get measles again. For everyone else, there’s the need for measles vaccine.

Treatment:

There’s no specific treatment for an established measles infection. However, some measures can be taken to protect vulnerable individuals who have been exposed to the virus. Your doctor can advise you of your best course of action.

  Post-exposure vaccination.

 Nonimmunized people, including infants, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the measles virus to provide protection against the disease. If measles still develops, the illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts for a shorter time.

Immune serum globulin.

Pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to the virus may receive an injection of proteins (antibodies) called immune serum globulin. When given within six days of exposure to the virus, these antibodies can prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.

Medications—after consulting with your doctor.

    *Fever reducers. You or your child may also take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve) to help relieve the fever that accompanies measles.

    *Antibiotics. If a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or an ear infection, develops while you or your child has measles, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

    *Vitamin A. Children with low levels of vitamin A are likely to have a more severe case of measles. Giving vitamin A may lessen the severity of the measles. It’s generally given as a large dose of 200,000 international units (IU) for children older than a year.

 Communicable period:

A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

Post-exposure vaccination:

Nonimmunized people, including infants, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the measles virus to provide protection against the disease. If measles still develops, the illness usually has milder symptoms and lasts for a shorter time.

Immune serum globulin. Pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to the virus may receive an injection of proteins (antibodies) called immune serum globulin. When given within six days of exposure to the virus, these antibodies can prevent measles or make symptoms less severe.

Lifestyle and home remedies:

If you or your child has measles, keep in touch with your doctor as you monitor the progress of the disease and watch for complications. Also, you can try these comfort measures:

    *Take it easy. Get rest and avoid busy activities.

    *Sip something. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice and herbal tea to replace fluids lost by fever and sweating.

    *Seek respiratory relief. Use a humidifier to relieve a cough and sore throat.

    *Rest your eyes. If you or your child finds bright light bothersome, as do many people with measles, keep the lights low or wear sunglasses. Also avoid reading or watching television if light from a reading lamp or from the television is bothersome.

For a complete version of the acclaimed Mayo Clinic Article log onto http://www.mayoclinic.org.